Benefits of Stretching

Ever since I can remember, my dad has enjoyed the benefits
of stretching on a daily basis. My father is almost 70 years of age, and has
completed a stretching and exercise routine on a daily basis since before my
brothers and I were born (over 40 years!)

I am so grateful that my father is such an amazing
role-model, who not only enjoys the benefits of regular exercise, he places a high
value on a balanced, healthy diet.

Dad gets out of bed as the sun rises, and before he goes for
a surf, swim or bike ride, he does 30 minutes of stretching. While I personally
don’t engage in a stretching routine on a daily basis, I can clearly see in my
father, the benefits of stretching regularly.

I don’t know about you, but if I look like my dad at the age
of 70 years, I’m going to be counting my lucky stars.
I am by no means saying that dad has had a life of smooth sailing, and been a
picture of health his entire life, but I have always known him to be an amazing
role-model, and he has always enjoyed the benefits of daily exercise. Dad
contracted and beat prostate cancer, and is as fit and healthy as ever (touch
wood). Aside from his daily stretching to start the day, some of the other
activities that follow on throughout the day include;

Ocean swimming(2km in around 40 minutes)

Bike riding(both road and mountain – between 25km and 40km)
in a session

Surfing(once, twice, sometimes even 3 times in a day!)

Gardening / mowing the lawns etc

Oh, these don’t all happen on the same day, every day, but
yes, he may swim and have a couple of surfs, or go for a 30km ride and surf
once or twice on the same day.

Oh, and the other day, dad was puffing a bit, and I asked
what he’d been up to…

He said “just doing a few chin-ups”.

Can you believe that? I am 37 years of age, and I love the
challenge of keeping up with my dad. Not only does he enjoy the benefits of
stretching as a morning routine, but he is very fit and active.

What about mum?

Mum also exercises regularly and my parents have always
placed a high value on nutrition, and we as a family have reaped the benefits
of this.

We enjoy the benefits of juicing when dad makes a “green juice”
(including all sorts of greens from the garden, milk kefir and activated nuts), which is
a glass full of goodness!

Oh, and I’d better mention that sincedrinking Kombucha Tea and Kefir drink, mum
reckons dad has had even more energy than before!

What about you?

So how would you like to start your day?Would you like to
look and feel like my dadwhen you reach 70 years of age?